Opinion

Letter to the Editor-Brandon Shaffer

Posted:
10/30/2012 11:16:37 AM MDT

Updated:
10/30/2012 11:17:21 AM MDT

Dear Editor,We need more veterans in CongressWe have fewer veterans in Congress right now than at any time since World War II. As a result, we've seen extreme partisanship and gridlock make Congress completely ineffective and stagnant.I'm Brandon Shaffer, and it was my honor to serve in the US Navy, which is where I learned what it means to accomplish a mission and get the job done. I’ve heard from other veterans, and they agree; it doesn’t matter if the person next to you in a foxhole, on a destroyer, or in any combat situation is a Democrat or Republican. When you’re serving your country, it’s not only your responsibility, it’s your duty to work together, find solutions, and accomplish the mission.That’s what I learned in the military, and that’s the philosophy I took to the State Senate. During my eight years as a State Senator, over 70% of the bills that I sponsored and passed into law had sponsors from both parties. Each of those eight years, I also helped craft and pass a balanced budget for our state. This year, I’m proud to say that 86 out of 100 legislators voted for our balanced budget, highlighting the overwhelmingly bipartisan work we did to keep our state fiscally sound.Right now, I'm disappointed with Congress. For the past two years, they’ve been governing from one manufactured crisis to another. Last fall, it was the Debt Limit debacle, and this year, they were unable to even pass a Farm Bill.

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It's not just mission failure; they don't even know what the mission is anymore.Throughout my service to our country, whether it was in the US Navy or Colorado Senate, I’ve always understood that the mission is to serve the people of the United States. Congress has lost sight of that. They can't pass a Farm Bill, and they can't balance the budget, because they can't stop bickering with each other.I'm running for Congress and asking for your vote, because I understand how to get the job done, and I would be honored to represent you in Washington.Brandon ShafferCandidate for CongressIn Colorado’s 4th Congressional District